Common scam strategies and tips to avoid getting deceived

Black Friday is the anticipated event not only for consumers, but it is a perfect occasion for online fraudsters to manifest their crafty deception strategies. Shopping scam fever does not only occur at this time of the year but before big year events: Christmas and New Year, as well. Therefore, arming up with the knowledge about scam prevention might be a wise decision.

Check Facebook offer information on an official service provider site

Online racketeers find Facebook a perfect haven for their felonies. Unfortunately, past cases reveal that the community still does not learn from their mistakes.

Fake airplane tickets can be called annual Facebook shopping scam. This year one of them involved Delta, AirAsia or Emirates Airlines companies.[1] Free flight ticket giveaways turned out not only to be a surprise for customers but for the very companies as well.

At that time, fraudsters attempted to wheedle out users by using infected websites. In order to avoid getting scammed, check the official websites of the companies to verify the information. If you tend to purchase goods from Facebook Marketplace, make the purchase and exchange of the product at the same time.[2]

Beware of shopping scam messages on social apps

As Facebook virus[3] reveals the number of users, who take the same bait twice, you might also expect similar felonies on social apps. Recently, UK users were targeted with a new ASDA scam[4]. The latter is a popular supermarket retailer in the country.

WhatsApp users got messages suggesting them to visit http://www.asda.com/mycoupon. The message also contained grammar mistakes which suggested the deceptive origin. The latter page does not exist. Nonetheless, marketers foisted Javascript in the link redirecting users to counterfeited pages asking for personal information.

Avoid installing fake iPhone or Android shopping apps

If you are a pro-app user, you might certainly have one or two app which helps you find proper deals. Note that finding one might be a difficult task as well. There are tons of fake applications. Such software may not only bother you with frustrating adware pop-ups but may infect you with the mobile version of ransomware or another sort of infection.

While Google Play is struggling to ward off crypto-coin miners, iPhone users should not let their guard down as well. There has been a trend of counterfeited apps plaguing App store as well. Besides nagging users with commercial notifications, they also target your personal and credit card information.[5]

Use secure internet connection

Whether you intend to purchase goods or services from a specific website, pay attention whether it has SSL certificate. i.e., “https” indicator in front of the site URL name. It is one of the key signs of a reliable site. Naturally, you should also look for other indicators: explicit privacy policy, terms of use and contact credentials.

Choose verified payment platform

Cyber felons tend to offer their own payment domains. Likewise, it is always a better solution to opt for Paypal or other reliable payment platforms, which provide money transfer and return guarantee in case of a dispute or technical difficulties.

Avoid opening failed packaged delivery email attachments

Spam emails are urging you to review the invoice or failed package delivery attachments is often a common trick used by ransomware developers. Such messages may contain grammar mistakes and typos.

On the other hand, some felons also this method. They may load users with refund offers. Unlike in real cases, such message will contain little information and instead urge you to review the attachment. Note that a proper email attachment always includes a screenshot of the content.

About the author

Lucia Danes
- Virus researcher

Lucia is a News Editor for 2spyware. She has a long experience working in malware and technology fields.